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Publish date: July 8, 2022
News
The proposed hydrogen and gas markets decarbonisation package includes a regulation and a directive, hoping to steer the EU towards a transition from an energy landscape largely dominated by fossil gas to a largely electricity-based system with some renewable and low carbon gases. We noted and highlighted significant shortcomings in the package and its failure to free Europe from fossil lock-in. Consequently, we suggested a number of recommendations. In light of the upcoming deadline for amendments on 13 July, on both the directive and regulation, reports tabled by MEPs Buzek and Geier have positive developments in line with Bellona’s asks.
MEP Geier’s report suggests two key amendments that would be of great climate benefit as we explain in our brief :
MEP Buzek’s report suggests a reduction in the percentage of Hydrogen that can be blended with natural gas, down from 5% to 2% through the proposed Amendment 32. Although no blending is ideal, as we highlighted in our brief, we still believe this is a step in the right direction.
Strong support and adoption of these amendments is crucial in aligning the EU with its climate targets. Besides the climate benefits, these amendments would help shield consumers from rising energy prices as well as reduce EU dependency on Russian fossil fuels.
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Throughout the past year, our mission at the Bellona Environmental Transparency Center has focused on two key, but intertwined issues—nuclear and radiation safety as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine drags on, and the worldwide influence of Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear corporation, which itself is actively involved in the war and has participated in the occupation of a Ukrainian nuclear power plant.
At the beginning of the year, reports in the German and Russian press suggested an approximate 70% increase in uranium imports from Russia to Germany in 2024. But does this reflect broader European trends? It does not. Overall, imports of uranium and nuclear fuel from Russia to Western countries actually dropped sharply in 2024. Unlike the situation in Germany, this is already an established trend.
A Lingen, Germany plant could begin producing nuclear fuel in cooperation with a subsidiary of Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear corporation, which is directly involved in the war in Ukraine and occupying the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
In this news digest, we monitor events that impact the environment in the Russian Arctic. Our focus lies in identifying the factors that contribute to pollution and climate change.